Winter Sprint Meet

Saturday afternoon in George Town, Stingray Swim Club put on a Winter Sprint Meet, as young athletes training regularly need meets. Elsewhere in the swim world, they’d have a meet available to them every other weekend, frequent tests to mark their progress being a key ingredient to success in swimming.

Little girl being cheered on by Dad, brother & friend.Photo: CIASA

Not just Grand Cayman swimmers, some trying to achieve CARIFTA qualifying times needed a boost to their training. Eight swimmers came across from the Brac, thanks to the Sports Association of the Sister Islands (SASI). Good performances were turned in by all those swimmers who had to get up at 5a.m. to catch a flight.

Evidence of consistent training, personal best and personal challenges rained for the Brac team. Multiple PB’s were achieved by Edward Reid and Anthony Grizzel. Taking on all comers, eight year old Martha Rivers earned the Brac’s first ever High Point Award in a meet against Grand Cayman.

Good swims were produced at all levels. Multiple records were lowered by Danielle Boothe and Amanda Shum in their respective age groups. Ten year old Danielle took down the pool records in the 50 ‘fly & 50 breast. Twelve year old Amanda Shum set new records in three events: both pool and club records in the 50m breast and 100m Individual Medley, and a new club record in the 50m freestyle.

Despite it being six year old Amy Palmer’s first meet, she took that High Point award. At the other end of the scale, 25 year old Ritz employee Adrian Sava comes to ‘swim for fun’, he says, and is a welcome challenge to the older boys.

In the Stingray Swim Club intra-squad competition, Red won with 629 points to Blue’s 470, although the Blue girls scored more than red.

The 62 event meet moved swiftly along in just under threes hours. Different than the recent ‘Burner’ meet, this was a fully officiated meet. Many of Cayman Swimming’s officials recently gained experience in Boca Raton, FL and Kingston, Jamaica, and free classes were held here in October. Resulting in a step up to a better proficiency officiating than ever before in Cayman.

Few technical errors in the young athletes swimming would’ve been missed. Although disqualifications are tough at the meet they happen to a swimmer in, they serve to make them better.

The meet also included time trials for those chasing CARIFTA qualifying times, explained so the crowd could add their support. Arianna Bain made a qualifying time, two others dropped considerable time and are now just tenths of a second off their mark.

Next on the calendar is the Cayman Water Company CARIFTA Trials, March 2-4.